My Résumé.
Experience
American Association for Justice
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Lead the strategic development of AAJ’s national amicus curiae program by evaluating requests for participation, monitoring emerging litigation trends, and overseeing appellate advocacy in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate courts, and state high courts on issues affecting access to justice and the civil justice system.
Direct plaintiff-side advocacy related to proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Evidence, Bankruptcy, and Appellate Procedure by coordinating working groups, drafting comments and testimony, and advising attorneys and organizational leadership on complex rulemaking and policy issues.
Advise organizational leadership on nonprofit governance, compliance, contracts, and risk-management matters while collaborating with trial lawyer associations, public interest organizations, and policymakers nationwide to strengthen coordinated civil justice advocacy efforts.
Partner closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to develop strategic messaging and member-facing initiatives, and regularly present on significant court decisions, appellate trends, and federal rulemaking developments for attorney and leadership audiences.
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Drafted, edited, and filed amicus curiae briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and state appellate courts advocating for the preservation of the civil justice system, the constitutional right to trial by jury, and meaningful access to courts.
Evaluated significant appellate matters and coordinated nationwide advocacy efforts with internal departments, state trial lawyer associations, and external organizations on complex procedural, consumer protection, and access-to-justice issues.
Conducted legal research and advocacy related to proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Appellate Procedure, including drafting regulatory comments, testimony, and educational materials for attorneys and organizational leadership.
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Developed and published practical legal resources and litigation guidance to assist plaintiffs’ attorneys in case strategy, trial preparation, and emerging legal issues across a broad range of practice areas, including products liability, professional negligence, police misconduct, prisoner abuse, employment rights, and sexual assault.
Drafted, edited, and managed publication of articles analyzing emerging legal developments and significant case law for 19 practice area-specific legal blogs, while establishing editorial standards and coordinating with a nationwide network of contributing attorneys and editors.
Bernabei & Kabat, PLLC
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Performed initial case assessments and investigations; drafted pleadings, motions, and briefs; performed legal research and document review; drafted witness examination outlines; and prepared clients for depositions, trials, hearings, and mediations, in matters related to employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation; developed key litigation and case presentation strategies as member of trial team that secured $1.3 million jury verdict against American University for discriminating against our client in their tenure process based on her age.
Minnesota Judicial Branch
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Authored over 100 orders, legal memoranda, and jury instructions under the direction of Judge Pearson and prepared reports and recommendations on relevant state laws, case law, filings, opinions, briefs, and legal authorities related to a variety criminal, civil, family law, and conciliation court matters, such as post-conviction relief and expungement; modifications of custody, child support, and parenting time; motions in limine; court trials; motions for summary judgment; and motions for attorneys’ fees.
American Constitution Society
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Planned National Convention panel exploring the professional and ethical implications facing new and veteran attorneys who choose to serve in a federal administration that is unfriendly to progressive values and civil rights; drafted a comprehensive guide to present and potential threats to First Amendment rights posed by the Trump Administration for ACS attorney and law student members and ACSblog articles on emerging legal issues; edited Issue Briefs on progressive policies and legislation, including government ethics, voting and reproductive rights, the judicial nominations crisis, and police misconduct for substantive and technical accuracy.
National Partnership for Women and Families
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Researched, tracked, and analyzed legislation, regulations, judicial proceedings, and policy initiatives, including a comprehensive 50-state survey on sex restrictions in public accommodation discrimination laws; drafted fact sheets promoting newly introduced bills and advocated for policies to advance reproductive rights, including comprehensive sex education, contraception access, quality maternity care, and abortion rights.
United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota
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Researched, tracked, and analyzed legislation, regulations, judicial proceedings, and policy initiatives, including a comprehensive 50-state survey on sex restrictions in public accommodation discrimination laws; drafted fact sheets promoting newly introduced bills and advocated for policies to advance reproductive rights, including comprehensive sex education, contraception access, quality maternity care, and abortion rights.
United States Department of Justice
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Researched and drafted memos analyzing national security exemptions under the Privacy Act of 1974.
Edited, cite checked, and performed case law analysis for the DOJ’s biennial guidance manual summarizing the Privacy Act’s disclosure prohibition, access and amendment provisions, and agency recordkeeping requirements. See DOJ Off. Privacy & C.L., Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 (2015).
Education
University of Minnesota Law School
Juris Doctor (May 2016)
Activities:
Law and Inequality (Lead Managing Editor)
Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Chapter (President)
University of Minnesota Law Council (Director of Events)
Women’s Law Student Association (Events Coordinator)
University of Minnesota Law School Mock Trial Competition Team
Awards:
Dean’s List (2014–2016)
Book Award, Civil Rights & Social Justice Capstone
Walter F. Mondale Hall Engagement Award
Dr. Matthew Stark Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Student Award
1L Legal Writing Program Best Oralist
The George Washington University
B.A., Political Science, Minor in Philosophy (May 2013)
Community Involvement
Monumental Theatre Company (Chair, Board of Directors)
Studio Theatre (Manager on Duty, Lead House Manager)
Folger Shakespeare Library (Theatre House Manager)
University of Minnesota Law School (Regional Alumni Ambassador)
ACS DC Lawyer Chapter (Former Chair, Outreach Committee)
AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition (Volunteer Judge)
American Mock Trial Association (Volunteer Judge)